“Peter Lawwell was very clear that this was an opportunity that was there for Kieran. But obviously we didn’t want the player to go and it was my job to try to convince him to stay.

“You have to be transparent with players in a situation like that so I just said, ‘Listen, we could have a great cycle here. I really want to develop you and make you a better player’.”

£15m premium

Rodgers’ comments are certainly an interesting insight into the strength of Arsenal’s belief in Tierney. This revelation demonstrates that the left-back was no summer panic buy, simply for the sake of signing someone.

In the three years between Arsenal’s apparent initial interest and his eventual signing, the 22-year-old emerged into a player capable of playing at Champions League level and winning multiple trebles with his boyhood heroes.

That progress did add a £15m premium on to the fee Arsenal wanted to pay in 2016, with the player eventually signing for a reported £25m (Sky Sports).

However, he may not have been quite ready to make a Gunners impact at that point. Right now, he certainly looks as if he can make an important contribution at the Emirates.